5561 FTP is one of the great Internet technologies, and FTP Client software is a category, as with Web browsers, in which Mac-users have an wide array of excellent alternatives including such familiar names as Fetch, Interarchy, Transmit, Captain FTP, and RBrowser, to name a few. However, back in OS 9 days, my favorite FTP client software was the less well known Vicom FTP Client 3.0, which was fast, supported file and directory synchronization, persistent downloads, had an easy-to-use Finder-Like Interface, and has a basic version offered as freeware.

The first OS X native version of the software, Vicom FTP Client 4.0, arrived in 2002, still not only one of the prettiest Cocoa-based FTP applications, but also the fastest one I'd tested up to that point — a more than worthy successor to the excellent Classic version.

With Version 4.0 Vicom went with a more conventional 2-window UI motif as opposed to the classic application's single window, supplemented by two slide-out Cocoa drawers for access to extra functions, sheets, live resizing and so forth.

I missed the Classic app's individual progress windows for file transfers, but the more conventional progress bars in the main window conveyed similar information, with a handy alert sound when transfers were completed. Unfortunately there was no longer a feature-limited free version.

Interarchy wrested the "fastest" title away from Vicom sometime in the mid-'00s, but Vicom recently released Vicomsoft FTP Client 4.6 for Mac OS X, marking the application's 10th anniversary, followed by a 4.6.1 update that added more new features and fixed some bugs.

Vicomsoft FTP Client Version 4.6.x is more than just a facelift, and adds several new features and enhancements, as well as joining forces with eSellerate to provide a new streamlined in-app purchase capability via via the eSellerate e-commerce platform provided by Digital River. The registration process is refreshingly straightforward.

I had drifted away from using Vicomsoft FTP Client a whole lot over the past few years, but I've been once again impressed out Version 4.6.1, which offers speed, pleasant looks, general intuitiveness and easy configuration, particularly of new connections and bookmarks, the latter which can also be saved as Desktop droplets.

An FTP Droplet is like an active Bookmark or an Out Basket that can be placed on your desktop, or anywhere you like. Files and folders dragged and dropped onto it. will
be uploaded to the server and destination directory that were specified when the droplet was created. Additionally, double clicking the droplet will conveniently open a connection and display the destination directory.

Vicom FTP Client bookmarks as well as Fetch and Interarchy bookmarks can be dragged and dropped onto this window and the details will be automatically read in.

Vicomsoft FTP Client's FTP Session Window shows the files/folders on your Mac in the left pane and the files/folders on the server in the right pane and allows all FTP operations to be performed by use of either drag and drop or the toolbar button controls at the top of the window (which can be hidden if you prefer).

Version 4's Cocoa drawers are still with us. The Queue Drawer is like a download manager for each FTP Session Window. When an FTP action is initiated and running or already downloading a file and you start to download another, the action will be added to the end of the queue and will wait for execution.

Text displayed in the Transcript Drawer shows a log of the exchange of commands and replies between the server and the FTP Client software. You can also enter FTP commands directly into the Transcript Drawer window and send them to the server.

Key Features of Vicomsoft FTP Client 4.6.1 include FTP, SFTP and FTP over SSL support, automatic reconnect and resume (a partially downloaded file can be double clicked in the Finder and the resume will take place automatically.), Directory synchronization, remote editing with any app, and FTP droplets to upload from your Desktop, Applescripting, including recording, automatic FTP mode detection, automatic time offset calculation, server to server transfers, large file support (greater than 2GB), remote editing with any app., and full Unicode support.

Vicom FTP Client's Synchronize option will automatically update either the currently displayed Mac or server directory with items which are considered newer in the opposite directory. For example, if you maintain a local copy of your website and you make a number of changes you to upload only the changed files to the server where your website resides.

I really like this application, but I do have a few criticisms. As noted, Vicomsoft FTP Client is very intuitive, easy and logical to set up, and generally nice to use, but there is no online help, and if you need help info, you’ll have to download the 732 KB PDF manual, which happily is clear, well-organized, concise, and well illustrated with screenshots, and Vicomsoft's Martin Crane tells me he will look to including some documentation with the download for the next update .

I would also still have to give Interarchy the edge for raw speed, and I wish that the Vicom client could upload files without having to refresh the entire destination directory (as Interarchy can), which slows things down on my slow dialup connection, but Vicomsoft FTP Client 4.6 is no slouch .In test conditions against its predecessor, Vicomsoft says FTP Client 4.6 improved speed of transfer by up to 30%, and it’s less complex to configure and use and sells for $25 less than Interarchy’s $59 suggested retail price if you don’t need Interarchy’s deep inventory of advanced features for high-end and professional users.

If you’re looking for a good, solid, fast, relatively inexpensive FTP client that’s easy and low-hassle to configure and use, Vicomsoft FTP Client 4.6.1 is definitely one you should check out. A seven-day free trial can be downloaded.

New in Version 4.6.1:
* Support for public key authentication
* Lock icon displayed in FTP Browser when connection is secure
* IPv6 support via EPSV/EPRT commands
* Ability to set server modification date/time on uploaded files
* Fixed purchase problems in Mac OS X 10.3.9
* Automatic upgrade facility for existing registered users

New in Version 4.6:
* QuickLook support
* Growl notification support
* Finder-like in-line file rename
* Enhanced SFTP server compatibility - Support for FTPS protocol
* Several bug fixes and optimizations
• QuickLook support

System requirements:
* Mac OS X Version 10.3.9 or higher
* Universal Binary for PowerPC and Intel

Vicomsoft:
http://www.vicomsoft.com

Vicomsoft FTP Client 4.6.1:
http://www.ftpclient.com

Download Vicomsoft FTP Client:
http://www.vicomsoft.com/pad/ftpclient/mac/ftpclient.dmg.zip

Purchase Vicomsoft FTP Client:
http://store.eSellerate.net/s.aspx?s=STR3167097185



Charles W. Moore

Tags: Hot Topics ï Reviews ï Internet Reviews ï

Login † or † Register † †